Dundee United are reported to have quoted the Blues a fee of £900,000 for left-sided defender Gavin Gunning. Blues boss Paul Jewell and chief scout Steve McCall are said to have had the 21-year-old Irishman watched on at least three occasions recently, including last Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Celtic.

Dubliner Gunning played youth football with St Joseph’s Boys Club and Crumlin United before moving to England and joining the Blackburn Rovers Academy in 2006.

The 6ft 2in tall centre-half or left-back subsequently went out on loan to Tranmere, Rotherham, Bury and Motherwell — for whom he played and hit the bar in their 2010/11 3-0 Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic — but failed to make a senior appearance for the Ewood Park club.

Last summer, the seven-times-capped Republic of Ireland U21 international negotiated his release from his contract at Blackburn and signed for Dundee United, turning down Aberdeen, former loan side Motherwell and Scunthorpe. Since moving to Tannidice he has made 33 starts and two sub appearances, scoring three goals, and was named in PFA Scotland's SPL Team of the Year.

Gunning, who is contracted to the Terrors until the summer of 2014, is set to miss this Sunday’s final game of the season at Motherwell due to a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, Blues target Joel Ward is understood to have held talks with Leeds United on Wednesday. Four clubs are in the running for the versatile Portsmouth defender or midfielder with the Whites claimed to be the front-runners. The 22-year-old is reportedly set to decide on his new club next week.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

righty added 10:01 - May 11 Why people talking about possible transfers Jewell is on holiday (well deserved I dont think) so unless he has nothing to do with transfers whats the point
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brian_a_mul added 10:27 - May 11 @ Len_Brennan With regards being linked with so many Irish players, I think english players in particular expect bigger wages and command bigger fees compared to scottish/ irish counterparts. Plus in general I think players that move away from their home country to earn a living are probably more determined to earn their crust. Also most non english players would have less problems moving around the country. I would imagine its tougher (for family/social reasons) for a young Londoner footballer to up sticks and move away from London. This helps to drive up the wage of certain players to entice them away from their homes. With Irish/Scottish/ Welsh players you dont have this as much. Again I speak in general terms.

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jas0999 added 10:37 - May 11 A decent player - but agree with Garv - we need a right-sided player! Still, all quality players greatly received!
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StowTractorBoy added 10:50 - May 11 I honestly don't believe you can compare Leicester of last season with Leeds of this. Leicester had a shed load of money to spend whereas Bates at Leeds has already stated that money is tight at Leeds. Leeds have to get replacements in because they have offloaded around 10 players and they certainly won't pay big money for Ward if they get him. Warnock is a bargain hunter and I think we just have to accept the fact that Leeds are a more attractive proposition than us at the moment. I have to say that already fed up of this speculation and nothing happenin. We probably will end up with St. Ledger but quite frankly I'd rather keep what we have than have him.

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CornardBlue added 11:06 - May 11 All these players we are interested in, agents must be overdrive.
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Kentish_Tractor added 12:05 - May 11 That photo was taken just at the moment he heard Ipswich were interested in him.
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riley26 added 12:06 - May 11 I believe Stockdale, Andrews and Bowyer were all Leeds bound...
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walberswick added 13:56 - May 11 He's having flashbacks of PJ's homevideo.
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simonsays added 13:57 - May 11 Could be worth a shot!
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RaymondovicBlue added 15:41 - May 11 Now I'm confused ... if Tommy Smith is the player for the future and he is left footed ... and assuming he has signed / will sign .... why are we looking at left footed centre backs? Sorry but it is Delaney who is most urgent to replace for me with a solid and Dominant CB. Am I missing something guys? Have a good weekend one and all.
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walberswick added 16:04 - May 11 MK Dons 1 Huddersfield 3 ( Rhodes hatrick)
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Seasider added 16:25 - May 11 Not sure if Scotland or Smith have signed,expect delay is because they have been offerred crap terms,as just seen Jewell saying he has less money to spend than last year,and that was when we had money from sale of Connor. However know it isn't Manager that deals in financial side as he has said so several times;so all these delays and losing out to other teams is down to Clegg and more especially Evans the organ grinder.However lowly league position doesnt help and thats PJ's responsibility. If Evans keeps purse strings tight it will take a miracle to get out of this division,and at this moment in time feel we have as much chance of being relegated as promoted.

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walberswick added 16:28 - May 11 Smith talking to Leeds.
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mightytown added 17:51 - May 11 arguably, the thing that most importanly, established over many numeral challenges and what this meant. by way of force to become, neglecting to elect, what was previously seen, placed at their disposal and regarded as at least one of the different choices, selected this function
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denhamblue added 18:32 - May 11 another one who wont be comming
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RegencyBlue added 18:49 - May 11 Given all the talk of no money at that price it aint going to happen!!
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boozy_dunc added 19:09 - May 11 Why doesnt Leeds want him?
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TimmyH added 19:42 - May 11 Yeah strange...need a right footer, unless he'll challenge Smith for his starting place but I can't see that as an option as we have more urgent positions we need to be looking at.
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buryblue77 added 20:49 - May 11 Timmy, we could also do with some LB cover and this guy can apparently play there. I know Smith (hopefully he'll be here next season, one of our most improved and important players this year) and Delany can play LB but neither of them really accomplished there. Having said that we played the whole season without a RB,(not knocking Carlos, he developed into the role really well given his naturally attacking playing position) so why we'd be looking at extra left sided cover seems beyond me when other areas are a priority.

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Tractastic added 21:42 - May 11 A major bid in the current financial system and with Cresswell being a clear number one for left back this is clearly a move to replace Smith/Delaney. Although Smith has done well in recent months if we are to push on we do need to bring some quality into the defence so lets just hope this is the first part of the jigsaw.Next a right footed defender,right back and goalkeeper before we move up the pitch!!

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